10A NCAC 15 .0606 AREA REQUIREMENTS
(a) Structural barriers shall be installed so that the dose limits of Rule .1601(a)(8) and .1601(a)(15) of this Chapter are not exceeded.
(1) Stationary radiation machine systems shall be installed in areas with the following:
(A) primary protective barriers for all walls, floor, ceiling, or other structures that will intercept the primary beam;
(B) secondary protective barriers in the walls, doors, floor, and ceiling areas or other structures that will intercept and attenuate leakage and scatter radiation; and
(C) a window, to include a frame and lead‑equivalent glass, meeting the same structural barriers as required by the adjacent barrier, or a mirror system shall be provided so the operator can see the patient from behind the protective barrier during radiation exposures.
(2) Intraoral dental handheld radiation machines shall be used in a controlled area, as defined in Rule .1601(a)(3) of this Chapter and controlled by separating adjacent uncontrolled areas six feet or greater from the patient.
(b) The exposure switch for radiation machines shall be installed meeting the following requirements:
(1) Stationary radiation machine systems shall have the exposure switch permanently mounted:
(A) behind a protected barrier 40 inches (1 meter) from the edge of the control booth; or
(B) so that the operator is required to remain behind the protective barrier area during the entire radiation exposure.
(A) behind a protective barrier height of 7 feet (2.3 meters) or greater; or
(B) located 6 feet (1.8 meters) or greater from the tube housing assembly.
(c) Stationary CT radiation machine operators shall maintain aural communication with the patient while the operator is required to remain behind a protective barrier at the control panel.
(d) Use of video monitors that do not have a direct power source is prohibited.
(e) Any mobile or portable radiation machine used in one location or used as a primary imaging system shall have structural shielding in that location that meets the requirements for stationary diagnostic radiation machines for stationary diagnostic imaging systems in Subparagraph (a)(1) of this Rule.
(f) An area radiation survey shall be performed for installations of radiation machines within 30 days following the initial use to show compliance with Paragraph (a) of this Rule.
(1) This survey shall include:
(A) a scaled drawing of the room in which the stationary radiation machine system is located;
(B) radiation levels in adjacent areas; and
(C) the name of the person, approved by the agency performing the survey, and the date the survey was performed.
(2) Any modification that could increase the radiation dosage for any individual to the following shall require a new survey:
(A) radiation machine configuration;
(B) radiation output; or
(C) occupancy factors if the x-ray room or adjacent areas are changed.
(4) Records of the area radiation survey shall be maintained in accordance with Rule .0603(m) of this Section.
(g) Technique Charts or imaging protocols for each radiation machine not equipped with an operational anatomic programming or phototimer option shall be readily available to the operator of the radiation machine(s). If pediatric and adult patients are imaged, a chart is required for both and shall include the following information:
(1) patient's anatomical size;
(2) technique factors to be used;
(3) source to image receptor distance used; and
(4) type of image receptor.
(h) Each area, as defined in Rule .1601(a)(3) of this Chapter, where a radiation machine is used shall be conspicuously posted with a sign, in accordance with the requirements of Rule .1601(a)(34) of this Chapter, bearing the words "CAUTION – RADIATION AREA", or words having a similar meaning.
(i) Exemptions apply to the following:
(1) intraoral dental radiation machines from Parts (a)(1)(A) and (C) of this Rule;
(2) Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) and veterinary radiation machines from Subparagraph (b)(1) of this Rule;
(3) dental handheld radiation machines from Subparagraph (b)(2) of this Rule; and
(4) dental radiation machines from Subparagraph (g)(3) of this Rule.
History Note: Authority G.S. 104E‑7;
Eff. February 1, 1980;
Amended Eff. May 1, 1993; November 1, 1989; October 1, 1980;
Transferred and Recodified from 15A NCAC 11 .0606 Eff. February 1, 2015;
Readopted August 1, 2026.